#but we’re using the ORAS designs

[silkhy-john]

[Mt Chimney peak]

Archie: hey could you stop my boyfriend? It’s not safe to stand that close to an active volcano

May: oh I’m definitely gonna stop… wait, that’s why you’re stopping him?

Archie: *confused* oh so you wouldn’t ask someone to pull Brendan back if he was standing too close to the edge of a cliff?

Magma Grunt: *throws out Poochyena* FIGHT ME DAD!

May: *concerned* you know what, just… I’ll stop him.

***

[Pyre Peak]

Mt Pyre Duo: hey what are you doing?

Maxie: *taking red orb* oh just taking this. My husband is coming by later; please don’t give him the other one.

Mt Pyre Duo: we aren’t giving you that!

Maxie: oh? Then I’ll just *takes orb and leaves anyway*

***

[Pyre Peak]

Mt Pyre Duo: *doing their best to defend the orb* are you that other man’s husband?

Archie: *doing his best to snatch the orb* oh he called me his husband? :D

May: hey hey what’s going on here

Archie: *blushing* I’m about to get married

May: ????

Archie: *leaves in the confusion*

***

[Magma hideout]

Maxie: hello, child. You’re just in time to witness history

May: *watchibg Groudon awaken* hey is it true you proposed to Archie?

Maxie: *blushing* I did no such— *remembers that he slipped and called Archie ‘husband’* *blushes harder*

***

[Slateport City]

Archie: Will Maxie think I’m cool for stealing this submarine?

[Mossdeep City]

Maxie: Will Archie find it amazing that I took over this space centre?

Both: *sigh*

***

[Seafloor Cavern]

Archie: *awakening Kyogre* he may have done it first, but I’ll do it better!

May: hey, where is Kyogre going?

Archie: huh? Kyogre? KYOGRE!

Kyogre: *off to find Groudon*

***

[Route 128]

Archie: what’s going on? This isn’t what I wanted!

Maxie: I think… I think we fucked up.

Archie: *realises how serious it is cause Maxie never curses* how do we fix this?

Steven Stone: *flies in on Skarmory’s back* we need the orbs in Sootopolis City, now.

May: great. They just… left.

***

[Sootopolis City, Groudon and Kyogre fighting]

Archie: babe, this isn’t working!

Maxie: don’t ‘babe’ me, honey; focus!

May: hey, how can I help?

Steven: I think my husband might need your set of skills.

May: … you’re married?

Steven: *holds up left hand*

Archie, Maxie: *point at Steven’s left hand*

***

[Sootopolis City, crisis dealt with]

Archie: so… you called me ‘husband’

Maxie: *blushes* yeah

Archie: do you want me to be your husband?

Maxie: *blushes* yeah

Archie: good, cause I want to be yours

Maxie: *wraps his arms around Archie’s shoulders and kisses him*

May: finally

The People of Sootopolis: *confused cheering*

Steven: *wiping tears away* that was great

Wallace: that wasn’t such a bad double date

Steven: …double date?

Juan: *exiting gym* could you guys take this somewhere else?

***

[Lilycove Point]

Officiant:

Archie: I do!

Officiant: …sir, I haven’t even started.

Maxie: Archie, light of my life, water that quenches the flames of my love—

Archie: *bawling*

Brendan: *looking at May with tears in his eyes* Will your vows sound like this?

May: *trying not to cry* will yours?

Archie: *tosses bouquet*

Tabitha: *catches it* well then *turns to Matt and starts making out with him*

***

[Alola, honeymoon]

Maxie: hey, when did you realise you loved me?

Archie: when you told me nothing would stop you from achieving your goals. You?

Maxie: when you told me you’d be the only thing to stop me from achieving my goals.

THE END.

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

03/11/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; Cast & Crew; Wee John Wondays; Rhys Darby; Con O'Neil; Taika Waititi; Wendy Anderson;Damien Gerard; London Billboards; London Billboard Survey; Watch Party Reminders; Queerties; Trends; Max Surveys; Fan Spotlight; Fundraisers; Articles ; LoveNotes; DailyDarby/TonightsTaika

Hey Lovelies. I'm not sure where the recaps are going to be going from here. I may calm thinks down a bit and just keep you updated on watch parties and fun sightings. With the news on s3 not being picked up, I'm feeling not quite sure of myself on where to go from here. Still thinking on it. Is there a particular thing about the recaps you like? Maybe I'll focus more on what people want to see most. Anyway, I'd love some feedback. Thanks Crew.

== Cast & Crew Sightings ==

= Wee John Wonday =

This one featured Con O'Neill and Gypsy Taylor.

Src: Kristian Nairn's Instagram

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kristian Nairn (@kristiannairn)

== Rhys Darby ==

Rhys has a new Cameo! This time from our lovely dear @/Baladria on twitter.

Check out the video on Cameo

In addition, Rhys posted a pic by @andyhollingworth1 on his instagram story.

= Con O Neill =

Warning, video may cause tears of joy and sadness. Con O'Neill is a gem of a human being. "You were all the home we ever needed"

I also missed his post from the other day, which was a dedication to his lovely mom.

== Taika Waititi ==

Rita was kind enough to give us some more Taika shots amongst her pile of Auckland pics! SRC: Rita Ora's Instagram

== Wendy Andersen ==

Our RedFlagCrew @wendywings on Twitter brought us some much needed Peanut action from the Oscars.

== Damien Gerard ==

Our lovely Father Teach has been making videos for us on Twitter! He's been sending a lot of love notes and keeping us up to date with his works. If you're interested please visit:

https://x.com/damientgerard/status/1766667952252977602?s=20

https://x.com/damientgerard/status/1766981901796147662?s=20

== First London Billboard Meet Up==

The first day of the London Billboards had a wonderful meetup of various UK fans! The billboard was visible from Leicaster Square and had a whole lot of foot traffic throughout the day!

Our lovely friend @queerly-autistic / QueerlyAutistic on Twitter made it to the billboard as well!

The UK Crew also got to see some Box Trucks!

Our dear friend @/whimmzee on twitter put these awesome signs together and the visiting crew signed them!

An exhausted OFMD Crew took one last picture after many hours of work! Thank you for getting out there and documenting the billboards: @MoviesWithMarty, @/whimmzee, and @queerly-autistic.

== Save OFMD Crew London Billboard Survey ==

"Although the March 18 & 19 dates for the billboard are locked in, we’re still able to change the design if desired. This is where you come in. Amazing donors, your generosity is responsible for this billboard, so it’s only fair you have a say in this decision. We’ve set up a survey of viable options: let us know which you’d most like to see! It’ll be open through Wednesday, March 13, 11:59 GMT. Thank you again for helping us make this happen! 🐙💜 “Billboard Survey Link” Tumblr Link to Post / Instagram / Reddit

== More London Billboard Meet Ups! ==

Tomorrow's the day folks! First set of Billboards are up tomorrow! SRC: Tumblr / Instagram

== New Save OFMD Crew Calendar ==

The next few days are focused on the LED Trucks outside the various networks locations as well as doing a rewatch party with @OurFlagRTL

= Watch Parties =

== Wrecked ==

There are sources being passed around. If access is an issue, DM @iamadequate1 on Twitter or Tumblr

Season 2 watch from March 11th to March 15th. 

Season 3 watch from March 18th to March 22nd. 

Times will be 10pm GMT / 5pm EST / 4pm CST / 2pm PST. Watch two episodes per day. Episodes are 21-22 minutes each. Use the following Saturday for the tags/watch if interested but not able to make this time.

Hashtags: 

#WreckedPirates

#SaveOFMD

#RhysDarbyFaction

== Deutsche Nachrichten / German News ==

Twitter-Watch-Along von Our Flag Means Death:

Streamt Staffel 2 ab dem 15. März.

Samstag, 9.3. 17:00 Folgen 1 bis 3, 

Dienstag, 12.3. 20:00 Folgen 4 & 5, 

Mittwoch, 13.3. 20:00 Folgen 6 & 7, 

Donnerstag 14.3. 20:00 Folgen 8 & 9, 

Freitag, 15.3. 17:30 Folge 10

Und anschließend bingen wir zusammen Staffel 2! 

Schaut und tweetet mit! 

Hashtag:

 OurFlagRTL

== The Queerties! ==

We finally find out the results of the queerties votes tomorrow!

== Trends ==

== Max Surveys ==

Don't mind if I do! If you emailed max earlier this year after the cancellation, check your email, you may have one too. Feel free to tell them how much you hated that they cancelled OFMD. Remember these folks are not the ones making the actual decisions so be a Polite Menace and not a Complete Asshole :D Although, if you decide to go complete asshole route, just be sure to let them know its David Zaslav you're mad at, not the support folks.

== Fan Spotlight ==

Thank you to @melvisik for continuing to make these fun Cast cards for us!

I would love to get more fun stuff for fan spotlight, so if you'd like your artwork or creations featured please please please hit me up! I'd love to highlight your work!

== Fundraiser Status ==

I had a few folks ask me to keep them updated on the two big fundraisers going on right now so I'm just showing a comparison fo how much they're going up today :). As usual please don't feel obligated to spend money you don't have or can't spare! If you wouldn't mind sharing to help these charities out, it would be appreciated, but yet again, not required.

eSIMS and Sanitary Products for Gaza

03/10/24 - $5689 / 191 Supporters / 71 %

03/11/24 - $5814 / 194 Supporters / 72%

InSoupNow Status

Wow! That jumped up in less than a day! Thank you to everyone donating or sharing! It's working!

03/10/2024 - $925 / 39 supporters / 18%

03/11/2024 - $1183 / 47 supporters / 23%

== Articles ==

Exclusive Interview: stand-up comic Jes Tom on Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda Netflix comedy special – “I am your new queer best frenemy”

== Love Notes ==

Hey lovelies, I'm going to leave the love notes to Con and Rhys tonight. There's nothing I could say that they haven't said better. Rhys Cameo Con's video is up above in the Cast & Crew Section I will say I love you all, and I hope you're hanging in. Be kind to yourself today lovelies <3

== Daily Darby / Tonight's Taika ==

Tonight's theme? SNAAAAAAKES OOOOOHHHH ITS A SNEEEEEKKKK Daily Darby Gif Courtesy of @ofmd-ann Tonight's Taika Gif Courtesy of @tea-and-liminality!

[cantstoptheimagines]

my thoughts on disney descendants: the rise of red ❤️

spoilers below the cut! you have been warned!

this is a train of thoughts post that i wrote while watching the movie, meaning it has no rhyme or reason, so prepare yourself for chaos.

i love that their giving cameron boyce his flowers

the first song gives me the vibes of an early 2010s halsey music video! but i think kylie cantrall is a great choice for this movie, she has a great voice

brandy and paolo! brandy and paolo! brandy and paolo! brandy and paolo! brandy and paolo! brandy and paolo! brandy and paolo! brandy and paolo! brandy and paolo! brandy and paolo! brandy and paolo! brandy and paolo! i’m so happy to see them again!!

however, what does this mean for the timeline? is brandy’s cinderella considered a prequel now? or is this movie considered an extended spin-off, or even an alternate universe?

the wonderland character designs and costumes are GORGEOUS

the new set pieces for auradon are great too! the colors are so vibrant

red literally said, “i’m just a girl”

i really need to know how they roped rita ora into this lol! i think she was a great choice too!

BRIDGET?!

JABBERWOCKY MENTION

in my opinion, the dance numbers are underwhelming compared to the previous movies

WHAT’S MY NAME REPRISE AHHHHH

hostile takeover of the kingdom, okay girl lol

the visual effects for the magic give me powerpoint presentation vibes, but i love it lmao

THE MAGIC WAND?! HELLO?!

“you didn’t care then” oop— these two have some tension

“all you have to is swear allegiance. is that so hard?” “if it means compromising everything i stand for, yes”

“now make me proud for once”

“she can’t do it” GIRL YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE SAID THAT

chloe calling for her mom, omg stop

OH MY GOD THE FLASHES TO RED’S FUTURE?! i love that so much

i’m wondering if the whole time travel aspect is a callback to cinderella 3: a twist in time

the contrast of red and blue when it comes to red and chloe is beautiful!! (i’m shipping them so i need them to make purple lol)

YOUNG FAIRY GODMOTHER OMG SHE’S SO CUTE AHHH

i love chloe’s voice

the pairing of kylie and chloe’s voices? beautiful! unmatched!

fight of our lives is definitely my favorite song so far

“if you hear me out, then you’ll change your mind”

“cause we’re on opposite sides in the fight of our lives”

JUST TWO GIRLIES TRYING TO FIX THEIR PARENTS’ PERSONAL GRUDGES

so apparently cinderella and charming met and fell in love at an event called castlecoming? is that different than the ball or is it the same?

MERLIN MERLIN MERLIN MERLIN MERLIN MERLIN MERLIN MERLIN MERLIN MERLIN MERLIN OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG SWORD IN THE STONE REP

merlin teaching a class in his personal office is lowkey kinda cute lol

QUEEN OF HEARTS USED TO WEAR PINK, NOT RED!!! OMG SHE’S SUCH A CUTIE

young cinderella being a little science geek is so fucking cute, i love it

one note on young cinderella, but what did they do to her hair? her wig is literally shoved flat onto her head?

referring back to an earlier point, i think this movie would be considered an alternate universe when it comes to it’s relation to the 1997 movie

young bridget’s little cupcakes, i love this girl so much. i think she’s my favorite character

“why are you so nice?” “you get more with sugar than salt”

i like that we see what more magic in this one when they go back in time, considering it’s pretty much obsolete (and even banned) in the original series

STOP OMG ALL THE YOUNG HEROES AND VILLAINS?!

the magic cupcakes turning people into flamingos?! OKAY, BRIDGET! THOSE SUPREME BAKING SKILLS?!

i’m wondering why they chose to use ursula’s rather than ursula herself? unless ursula is going to show up later, of course

“i’m charming” “that’s debatable” GIRL!! i need to know if that was a small into the woods reference or not

ALL OF THESE WOMEN ARE GAY! THEY HAVE TO BE!! EVERY SCENE BETWEEN THE FRIENDSHIP PAIRINGS ARE LIKE MAL AND EVIE SINGING THE SPACE BETWEEN 100 TIMES OVER

“you have some serious intimacy issues” i’m crying 💀

not them going back to cinderella’s childhood house

cinderella really said, you can visit but you gotta work

“does it really count as being a good person if you’re getting a reward for it?”

the villains just casually hanging out in the black lagoon, i love that for them tbh, iconic

i love the way the song revenge was filmed. the velocity, the quick camera movements, it’s so sharp like the villains

love that they included the eels from the little mermaid, although they ginormous omg!!

something specific but that shot of birds flying over the mountains in the morning is so good

the shuffle of love, stop i love this girl so much

“if i was your mom” GIRL YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW

i looked at the time left in the movie, and this is literally so fast paced

NOT THE SHATTERING OF THE GLASS SLIPPERS STOP

CHARMING’S DEVASTATION

third act breakup argument

“you sound like your mom” “thank you” “and how’d that work out for her” BOOM CALLED OUT

i love the flashes to red next to her mom on the throne, the costuming in those sequences is to die for!!

“how do you know they’re a bad person?” “because she says so herself” “bad people don’t think that they’re bad”

get your hands dirty is really cute duet <3

morgie is meant to be this movie’s gil

the little background moments of hades and maleficent are so cute

archimedes reference

night falls callback

chloe sacrificing the glass slippers!!

wish we had a bigger struggle with the villains instead of just... them freezing after a magic book lol

“i’m a lost cause”

morgie is such a dork

the actor who plays merlin in this movie does a great impression of the original voice actor in the animated movie

these girls are making assumptions way too quickly about whether or not they succeeded in fixing the present time auradon. i really feel like this whole thing isn’t over

okay so it definitely isn’t clarified enough how they really defeated the past

i wish it could’ve been something more along the lines of they go to castlecoming and actually stop the villains in the act of hurting bridget. the ending felt too easy, something had to have gone wrong

lol uma’s little dance

ok so the ending is obviously leading into a new movie, which i assume will address the ramifications of the girls messing around with time travel and changing the past

i have the book that takes place between d3 and tror, so i’ll definitely be reading that soon to find out more about this wonderland storyline!

despite feeling a little incomplete, i’m gonna be honest folks, i still like this movie a lot, especially in terms of of music, and i find the plot way more interesting than some of the og movies.

objectively speaking, i don’t think it’s the best. but subjectively, i love it for it’s style and new ideas

[halloffamezine]

✨Questions from our Interest Check✨

Q: What are the guidelines on how artistic contributors are allowed to draw the Champions? (Ex: ORAS vs RSE Steven, a completely original Iris design?)

A: Contributors are allowed to use whatever designs they want for the Champions, whether picking their favorite in-game look for a Champion that has had redesigns or taking artistic liberties with the character. We simply ask that if you decide to use your own interpretation of a Champion, the design isn’t harmful in any way.

Q: Are contributors allowed to showcase Pokemon Masters EX outfits, or is the focus on the core series games?

A: We love the alts the Champions get in Masters as much as DeNA! You’ll absolutely be allowed to showcase their alternative costumes should you wish.

Q: Will the anime be included? What about the manga?

A: As of now, we’ve elected to keep the focus of the zine on the games. The portrayal of the Champions can vary quite widely between sources, so focusing on the game is a way to keep the zine more consistent in content.

Q: Blue is my blorbo and I love that stupidhead very much <3

A: me but with steven honestly -mod cirrus

Q: What exactly are the shipping restrictions?

A: Shipping content is not allowed, period. Even if it’s a very minor background element of your creation, it’s still prohibited. This is to ensure everyone, regardless of shipping preferences or lack thereof, can enjoy the hard work our team produces. This is a zine dedicated to showing our love for the Champions, and not a debate on who Cynthia should hook up with.

Q: Where is the zine shipping from?

A: We’re going to be shipping from the United States! Some countries may not be accepting packages from the United States due to current world events, so be mindful of any potential shipping restrictions.

Q: Will there be merchandise stretch goals?

A: Yes! We’re also committing to featuring ALL of our merch artists: if a piece of merchandise they make does not meet the required sales goal, we will still produce the contribution in a different way so their piece still gets to be featured in a physical capacity.

Q: Will Ash be featured?

A: Due to the zine’s focus on the games and other Pokemon anime zines running at a similar time frame to Hall of Fame, Ash will not be featured in the zine.

Q: Will there be intern mod positions?

A: We may include intern mod positions!

Q: What is a spot artist?

A: A Spot Artist works with a writer and makes small illustrations to go alongside written works in the zine! For example, a spot artist for a Diantha fic would collaborate with the writer and create a small piece of art of her that accompanies the fic. Spot Artists will not be assigned in this zine, but rather be a volunteer-basis extra an artist (whether Page Artist or Merch Artist!) can take on alongside their main assignment.

Q: Drink water fam

A: don’t worry we recruited a water type champion for this exact reason

[drkineildwicks]

So happy Scarvi day!

May you all enjoy that new Pokemon smell while it lasts, I know that’s probably one of the big draws whenever a new Pokemon game comes out

Me, the honeymoon ended a while back and while I was debating, I’ll be sticking with the rom hack over purchasing the games I’ve got bills

This of course hasn’t stopped me from looking at the leaks and...general negativity under the cut and BOY HOWDY do I have some Thoughts:

Look we all rag on Pokemon for rushing the games but this is ridiculous

The friend I got the rom from told me that there were some stability issues and general jank in the rom and we both chalked it up to it being the rom but no the jank and crash is in the base game

Apparently the game plays like a just-turned-on alpha build and that is...not a good look for a multi-billion dollar company

“But Kineil game freak is a small company!”  Pokemon as a franchise makes Elon Musk look poor game freak can definitely hire more people or at LEAST hire optimizers and bug hunters at this point one person who can do that job would make a world of difference

Pokemon as a franchise can afford to hand the reins to someone else game freak has made it clear they’re no longer interested in putting in the effort

Plus we’ve seen plenty of other indie games that make a fraction of the money yet still put out good games so...no excuse

Seeing a screenshot of one of the cutscenes where everyone is still in the T-pose they’re loaded in as is...not good these games needed more time for polish but gotta have that yearly release don’tcha know

Legends could have been delayed until this Christmas and Scarvi could have been pushed to next year to give both games more time in the oven and I sincerely doubt that anyone would have complained about it

Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that and the diehard fans will still wait eagerly for a few extra months

I mean LOOK at the Zelda games look how many people are excitedly waiting for BotW 2 yes it got delayed but we’re still all waiting for it and will buy it no one looked at the delay and said well I’m not buying it NOW I’m so mad they delayed it that I’ll never buy another one

Look at how many people are still holding a candle for Metroid Prime 4 and Pikmin 4

I’m savoring the Legends experience but it still has jank and seeing how Scarvi is I can’t blame that on the emulator

One of Pokemon’s higher-ups insists that people don’t have time for games anymore and would rather have the mobile game experience--sir, when we buy a mobile game we’re paying at most five bucks we know it’s going to be a shallow experience but when you’re asking us to shell out sixty bucks minimum for a game on a console that costs several hundred dollars we’re wanting an effin’ EXPERIENCE

Nexomon is a mobile game that costs a fraction of what a Pokemon game does and I had more fun on the Steam port of it than I have had with the past several gens of Pokemon mobile game does not necessarily equate shallow experience this man is just a fool

Also what I’m hearing is again no post-game so that sucks

“Kineil you’re holding them to too high a standard just consume product”--I’m holding them to their own standards Pokemon games used to be an experience that was worth returning to

My gen III games have a minimum of 500 hours per game with Emerald clocking out somewhere around 1K hours that was an experience dangit

“Well you were younger then you’re blinded by nostalgia”--if I were blinded by nostalgia I would keep buying the games and would have liked ORAS rather than rip it up one side and down the other from ORAS to Sun/Moon all my Pokemon games were DNFs

We gotta stop normalizing underperformance guys game freak has done better and we should hold them to the standards they’ve set in the past

Let’s see, what other beef do I got...

Listen gen VIII designs had to grow on me but Gen IX...you know how everyone got big into making AI Pokemon?  Game freak apparently jumped on that bandwagon the majority of these guys look like they got spit out by a generator

I like maybe a handful of these designs and I’m not sure if the rest will grow on me game freak really front-loaded all the good designs in the promos

Legit I thought a lot of the designs were from Palworld you know you done goofed when your designs are indistinguishable from your competitors

Also I was once again ruined by much better fan designs for the final starter evos my boi Quaxly they did you so dirty

Are they just appealing to cosplayers now because I really can’t stand the whole humanoid Pokemon trend I don’t even like humanoid Digimon

We shouldn’t go “birb --> bigger birb --> Elton John” those feet legit look like slippers wtf it’s just a guy in a costume

So yeah sorry Quaxly but Fuecoco’s the new starter at least that one stays monstrous

Just doing away with trainer gender altogether reads like 1) cheap pandering and 2) lowering effort even MORE

Temtem, the game that fully released recently and was touted around Sword and Shield as the new Pokemon-killer (more on that later), had the option for boy/girl/other like...three years ago are y’all really going to reward nintendo for bare minimum pandering?

If you’re being truly inclusive, then you have options

Like, for example, I have the option to play:

Temtem

Nexomon

Coromon

Monster Hunter

DokeV

Palworld

Kindred Fates

Older Pokemon games

Pokemon emulators

Pokemon fan games

Plenty of others

People talk about other games in the monster-capture genre being the Pokemon-killer but real talk the real Pokemon-killer is...Pokemon.  They’re constantly shilling out the least effort at this point and eventually people will hit that trust thermocline and jump ship because Pokemon isn’t putting the effort out anymore.  It’s already happened once with Sword and Shield and while I know I’m not going to be the one who breaks them, that’s still several hundred dollars since Sun/Moon that I have not spent on Pokemon.  Instead I spend it on other games and while my experiences have been all over the place, it’s been with the knowledge that I’m not paying for the hope of recapturing an old experience and instead being sold fumes.

I’m sure there’s more to say on the matter but this is already going long so any further beef will be in reblogs I guess

But I guess my main point is that we have to be responsible on this end too, we don’t have to just mindlessly consume, we can vote with our wallets and tell these companies that we don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for Sonic 06-level quality made by people worked to the bone for pittances so higher-ups can have fatter bankrolls

Speak the language they speak and hit them in their wallets

Alternatively, write to Nintendo or the Pokemon Company and tell them your thoughts

I know they bury it under all the corporate rigamarole but these places still have brick-and-mortar locations take the sixty bucks and spend it on stamps

But don’t bother sending letters to game freak they’ve already said decades ago that any suggestions sent to them are read aloud to their coworkers and laughed at

Again, consume responsibly, they don’t have to laugh all the way to the bank with your money

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have pirating to do and better games to spend my money on

[zionsuni]

Wealth Tax In NZ

Kia ora readers! Today I’ll discuss a recent poll published by NewsHub earlier this year in relation to implementing a wealth tax in New Zealand.

See full article (here)

I personally stand with 53% of Kiwis in favour of a wealth tax, and I’d like to explain why. 

Firstly, let's discuss what a wealth tax is. A wealth tax, colloquially referred to as a ‘robin hood’ tax, is a way in which money is taken from individuals with a large amount of capital, to be redirected into things like social welfare, tax cuts for the working class, or anything the government wishes to fund. Generally, the tax rate increases incrementally as an individual's wealth surpasses defined thresholds. 

So why do the majority of Kiwi’s, including myself, support such a tax system?

Wealth inequality is a growing concern worldwide, and New Zealand is not immune to this issue. We’re currently seeing “the highest rates of wealth inequality on record in this country, where the top 10% own 60-70% of the wealth and the bottom half - two and a half million New Zealanders - hold just 2%”. - Greens.org.

And this issue isn’t getting any better, “Someone in the richest 10% used to earn five-six times as much as someone in the poorest 10%, but now they earn nine times as much. (Data from Perry, 2019, p.314.) - Inequality.org

On top of this, New Zealand is currently undergoing a ‘cost of living crisis’. “According to Stats NZ, the cost of living for the average household increased by 7.2 percent between June 2022 and June 2023.” - stats.govt.nz

Between this time;

interest payments increased 28.8 percent

grocery food increased 13.2 percent

rent increased 4.8 percent

fruit and vegetables increased 21.2 percent.

stats.govt.nz

While these increased prices affect everyone, Inflation always impacts lower income individuals and families the worst. While high income households’ cost of living increased by 1.8% more than the lowest spending households (Stats.govt), it doesn’t offset the struggle already faced by lower income families.   

The wealth inequality we’re facing in conjunction with inflation is now affecting the middle-class more than ever. 

“Inflation is always a terrible problem particularly for people who are poor,” says Shamubeel Eaqub, an Auckland-based economist. “But over the last couple of years, it’s affected a much larger group of people who previously would have been middle class and are now having to make cuts.” - The Guardian.

The growing wealth gap, and the cost of living crisis not only pose economic challenges but also has social and political implications. A wealth tax would help alleviate this inequality by redistributing wealth more equitably, by taking money from those who can afford it, and giving it to those who need it most. 

Yes, a well-designed wealth tax can contribute to a more equitable society by redistributing wealth, but also fund social programs that benefit the less affluent population, potentially improving social cohesion and reducing poverty rates. These social institutions include, but aren’t limited to: healthcare, education, and infrastructure, ensuring their accessibility and quality.

While a substantial amount of money can be taken from the rich without much harm, what's important is how it's used in order to justify the tax. Wealth taxes can be implemented in a variety of ways, and are found in countries such as; Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and many more. Since I’m suggesting a wealth tax in New Zealand however, I’d like to key in on one political party that proposed such a tax system in their 2023 election campaign. With the goal of combating the cost of living crisis and lifting people out of poverty, the Green Party proposed using a wealth tax to guarantee income for the people who need it most.

“It will work by cutting taxes for people on the lowest incomes, making sure anyone out of work or studying has enough to live on, topping-up the incomes for those raising tamariki, and making sure there is extra help for anyone who is sick or disabled. The Income Guarantee is fully funded through fair and simple changes to the tax system that unlock the resources we need. Every dollar will come from those most able to contribute, while those on the lowest incomes will pay less. Overall, the Ending Poverty Plan will result in tax cuts of between $16 and $26 a week for 3.7 million New Zealanders.” - Greens.org

Their increased taxes on the rich are as followed:

While a 2.5% tax increase may seem like a lot for a wealthy real-estate owner, it likely doesn’t impact their ability to put food on the table for them and their family. The ability to tax such individuals does however have the ability to lift families out of poverty, and increase standards of living for the majority of the country during this economic crisis. That doesn’t stop individuals who hold large amounts of capital, and are more concerned with themselves than the well-being of society, from opposing this kind of wealth tax. 

These individuals, and other critics argue that a wealth tax would negatively impact the economy, as it may discourage investment and wealth creation. I’d argue that the potential economic and societal benefits outweigh these concerns, but it's up for debate. There's not a surplus of data on wealth taxes and their long-term economic impacts due to the amount of countries having enacted them, and the short amount of time they’ve been around. Despite this, it's imperative to understand it to the best of our ability.

Read New Zealand’s 2023 tax policy report and officials’ advice on wealth taxes (here).

From my understanding of the report, Implementing a wealth tax would be no easy feat, requiring the government to establish a robust administrative infrastructure. This includes determining the valuation of assets, compliance mechanisms, and addressing concerns related to asset valuation accuracy and privacy. The government should also consider international coordination to avoid tax evasion by the wealthy who may attempt to move their assets abroad. For this reason, collaboration with other nations on reporting and enforcement mechanisms will be essential to the effectiveness of such a tax system. 

The implementation of a wealth tax may also have political implications, as it may be met with resistance from wealthy individuals and interest groups. Policymakers should carefully consider these dynamics and engage in public discourse to build consensus in order to successfully implement these policies.

Don't forget to use your voice in the public sphere when it comes to these issues.

To summarise, A wealth tax would help address the growing wealth gap in the country, ensuring that the richest individuals contribute their fair share to reduce inequality. It would fund public services, providing a reliable source of revenue to support public institutions like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. If done well, this redistribution of wealth can reduce poverty rates and help everyday Kiwis cope with the cost of living. It would certainly require ongoing economic analysis to understand its impact on investment and economic growth,  which ideally leads to more informed and refined policy decisions going forward. While large holders of capital would likely oppose such taxes, public engagement and discourse can help build political consensus and address said resistance from wealthy individuals and interest groups. A wealth tax has the potential to create a fairer and more equitable society in New Zealand, and is "simply a matter of political willpower." - Chloë Swarbrick.

“Despite an Inland Revenue report showing the country's wealthiest are paying tax at a much lower rate than the rest of New Zealanders, the government has ruled out major tax changes - such as a capital gains tax, a wealth tax, or a tax cut - in the Budget”. - RNZ

As mentioned above, no major tax reform is involved in this year's budget, and likely won’t be under our current government for the foreseeable future. If the cost of living crisis continues over the next three years, I believe it's imperative to vote for parties that put forward progressive tax systems like these in the next election (if you have the right to do so). Until then, use your voice, and act however you can to help those in need during this cost of living crisis. 

Ngā Mihi

Thanks for reading

[komikoniimasu]

Pokemon SC/VI thought vomit.

So i’ve been picking up my Omega ruby re-play because i’ve had the itch for a non switch era pokemon game ya? I plan on going through my copy of Scarlet after going through a few other non-switch games or even pre sc/vi switch games to really solidify my thoughts on the direction of modern pokemon mainline titles but even just a little bit of ORAS has me really noticing just how different the  ✨ p r e s e n t a t i o n ✨ is between gens. In going from crafted routes, to semi-crafted routes with a small scale open area to open world we’ve lost a *lot* of the charm areas in the game have had, imo. One of my largest complaints with sc/vi [aside from how god awful it runs] is just how forgettable pretty much every area in the game is, if we’re talking purely about the landscape itself and not anything it ties to. while it’s partially the curse of being an open world experience [can’t have everything being distinct and cool™] sc/vi has a telling lack of pretty much *anything* worth talking about landscape wise. Don’t get me wrong, some of the towns and cities are genuinely pretty neat [i’m a big fan of Montenevera and Levincia] but all of the in-between in either incredibly forgetful and lacking in any meaningful directive landmarks or is cool but really poorly executed on [looking at you north province area 2] also as an aside the naming convention for zones in this game sucks ass. genuinely. the map and it’s labeled landmarks do nothing to actually give you a grasp of where you are related to the compass [which doesn’t matter with the level of map magnification you get when you’re actually able to read those names / without a compass on said-map to orient yourself appropriately with that context] there’s also the comparative issue of landscapes[and imo pretty much anything] in sc/vi just lacks any sort of aesthetic polish. The game absolutely has a visual vibe it’s going for, and has taken a [in my opinion, backwards] step towards a slightly more ‘realistic’ rendering engine to varying degrees on different things. Ultimately i feel as though much of the environments, trainer and pokemon models lack visual cohesion and the game suffers for it. This leads to most of the landscapes, at least to me, making everything *in* them feel out of place. meanwhile i’m replaying ORAS and the only thing that immediately jumps out at me is the very obvious 5-foot-away skybox that’s being used to depict a scenic mountain range over on the northern bit of route 103 [yknow, the one where you fight your rival for the first time] and while jarring when you notice it, isn’t detractive from the overall look of the game. on the contrary, i actually think this trick is really cool, even if very noticeable and shows a level of problem solving care in ‘’how do we get this game to look like it’s source material, while also innovating on it’’, due to the camera angle change. There’s just a ton of things I find lacking in sc/vi’s environmental design, both functionally and aesthetically, that are really only problems in part *because* of the open world design. [legends arceus also does not escape from this issue, but is more excusable due to the whole *point* of the game being it taking place in a time where the landscape is in some of its most natural state and also because it lands on its feet with it’s visual style] it’s rough because sc/vi is simultaneously one of my favorite pokemon experiences, while ALSO being one of the most flawed. I do genuinely hope that in the next game, they are able to take whatever they have [hopefully] learned from working on SC/VI and use it to make a more cohesive experience in the next game. [but also this is game freak we’re talking about so let’s not get our hopes up]

Ironically, Hassel’s class on the ten wonders of paldea kinda sums up some of my thoughts on sc/vi pretty well

[toaarcan]

Alright, we’re back.

Your colleagues are literally stopping me from going to Fortree. Even if I didn’t want to kick your arses, I’d have to.

Yeah, that’s generally what I do at this point.

Yeah, it’s not like I have much to be afraid of.

Me about “deliberately cute” characters in media.

There’s something very weird about seeing Shelly’s original design after getting so used to the ORAS one.

I need to be careful of Bullet’s durability...

And that’s that.

You were literally in my way. If you hadn’t blocked the bridge I might not have even noticed you were here.

Here comes the Plot.

And Team Magma just breezed by. Bridge guards, you had one job!

Anyway, they leave, and we get this piece of Box Fodder.

In the originals, you had to have a space in your party for this thing, and it’s why there’s a PC in the building. Now, though, it just gets sent straight to the box, which is neat.

Stormbringer: A Pokemon Emerald Nuzlocke, Part 8

And now, the world opens up to us. There are very few actual roadblocks left in the game from here on out, and we're free to travel all over Hoenn.

But first, we're going back to some old places.

This will be Marina's last stint as our main Water type, unfortunately. The oceans hold better options, and while we're going to be cycling through them a bit, as the one I actually want to use doesn't show up until after we clear through Lilycove, her watch is almost ended.

Also we get this now.

And the obligatory Tentacool. Unfortunately she's Lv.7, but I'm probably not going to use her anyway. Poison isn't an amazing type, especially not for my purposes, and I'm not doubling up on them.

The other obligatory Water type. Likewise, she won't be joining the party, as she's pretty redundant.

And the last of the trio sorted, now we can easily get other things elsewhere!

And we pick up this for Cass!

Much better.

Yeeeeeeesssssssss!

[quartings]

For the first time in over 4 years, I'm not heartbroken at Pokemon.

People are 100% allowed to hate things though- I'm not gonna call anyone "entitled" for being mad about how condescending Gamefreak has been to children recently, or selling SwSh with half the content for 50% more money. But as for my thoughts on the games themselves...

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

The chibi style is a bit much but I don't hate it. I just hope they fix up the lighting a little bit. After all the stress I was having about how'd they'd adapt Sinnoh's grid maps, HMs, and even the DS bottom screen, I'm actually happy to see what is essentially a remaster as opposed to a Gamefreak-mandated remake.

But the most important question remains: Why should I play this instead of Platinum, one of the best Pokemon games ever?

I feel like people don't talk enough about how amazing of a remake Mystery Dungeon DX was- QOL updates, more dungeons, and cross-gen evolutions. Unlike what Gamefreak did with ORAS, Chunsoft took the original games and added more good things without removing other good things.

So I hope ILCA knows how important it is to have the Platinum dex expansion, boss teams, and BATTLE FRONTIER!!

Legends: Arceus

Wow. They finally figured out how to make a Switch game! Between this and Crown Tundra, I have a lot more confidence in how Gen 9 is gonna look and play now- especially since they're not doing annual releases anymore! I'm so glad they're outsourcing remakes to other studios so they can have more time and freedom to make newer, bolder projects! *Cries* I'm so happy we're back to 4-year gens...

I'm gonna paraphrase Shofu and say- the garbage framerate doesn't matter for now, don't worry. We don't even know if Ancient Sinnoh is gonna be Wild Area bland or Expansion Pass pretty!

The starter choice is kinda funky- unless they have snazzy new forms, I'm probably gonna ditch them for a Sinnoh starter the earliest chance I get, sorry. I love them all design-wise, but Cyndaquil is the only one I didn't feel was underpowered when using them in the past.

Most importantly- There's no box art for this game yet- we could very well get a new Arceus form! Especially since Mewtwo, Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, Zygarde, Necrozma, and most of the Galar Legends have beaten its stat total. And even if it's still regular Arceus on the boxart, it could still have a secret form, like Necrozma, Zacian, and Zamazenta.

It'll also be awesome to see if this is the exact moment we see Regigigas get bound and sealed in Snowpoint temple!

Extra thoughts:

But yeah! I think it could be really cool to get a fully-polished Gen 9 debut game with an expansion pass, have an outsourced Black and White remake, and then a sparkling-clear BW premake or B3W3!

I think the manga arc for Sinnoh remakes will be called Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but they'll mostly cover Arceus Legends content, be it through flashbacks or time travel.

I wonder if we'll get a big spinoff game to satisfy the late 2022 release slot!

[lime1991]

Nessa is NOT oversexualized.

You know, in fact, Nessa is not sexualized at ALL. I am so tired of seeing this:

(credit: gghero)

(credit: ilyvbs)

(credit: joxterlesbian)

I will preface this by saying: I am black. I am female. if you tell others “listen to black/female voices on the matter” then here one is. here is a black female voice. listen to me.

The thing most people say is that Nessa’s outfit is too revealing. Well, my question is, why isn’t Misty’s? Or Jessie’s? I mean, there’s even more examples, like Shauna from Hoenn, or Gardenia. What about Shelly’s original design from the R/S games?

Let’s start with Misty,

We are now finished with Misty.

And, well, I shouldn’t have to bring up Jessie, but I will anyway.

Woah! Do you see that? Her top is- is so TIGHT! and her skirt? Oh jeez, and her BOOTS? She’s practically a hooker! this isn’t safe for kids! That was all sarcasm. This is how you sound when you bring up this double standard for Nessa. You know what, let’s just take a look at Nessa vs Jessie right now.

Alright so we see that their tops are... basically the same thing, except for the fact that one is a shirt and the other is, you know, a bikini. for swimming. because she is the water type gym leader. Oh but let’s not forget that she’s showing oh so much SKIN! It’s about the same as Jessie give or take some inches due to the angle of Jessie’s picture vs Nessa’s.

And as I will likely say many more times in this post, Nessa’s top covers her thiddies because she is wearing a bikini. thats what bikinis do. they cover the bare minimum of your body in order for you to legally be in public while also enjoying the water. Should also point out that she’s wearing swimming shorts, so in a way, she’s more covered up than most people who wear bikinis, Misty included.

Finally, for this section of the argument, Shauna, Shelly, and Garden Girl.

Shauna (or Tessa, or whatever), from Hoenn, looks like this:

Pretty revealing clothing, huh? Well what if I told you, this ALSO is not oversexualized? This is an outfit used for the ease of fighting. She is a Battle Girl, a character with no real personality within games, but is an actual character within the anime. Minor, but a character nonetheless.

Now just take a good look at her outfit. Dang, it’s kinda familiar, isn’t it? Oh yeah, that’s because it’s the exact same outfit Nessa wears.

I shouldn’t have to go deeper into this, but I will for just a second.

Garden Girl (Gardenia) she wears a weak ass poncho over her shirt that, even though it’s long sleeved, is not at all a SHIRT. you can see exactly where it ends and, would you look at THAT!

It’s the SAME PLACE!!!! WHOA!!!!!! THIS IS SO WILD MY GUYS!!!!

BUT I’M NOT DONE YET, BECAUSE THERE’S A WHOLE NEXT SECTION AFTER THIS ONE, SO JUST HOLD ON TIGHT FELLAS!

She’s a little small, not my fault she’s from Ruby and Sapphire. This is Shelly. No, not that ORAS Shelly. This is the original R/S Shelly. and she’s well- she’s just-- WEARING NOTHING! you see cleavage in a KID’S game! This is just baffling, fellas!

Now I’m just as tired talking about other scantily clad anime girls as you are, so why not move onto our second section.

“Nintendo is always sexualizing their darkskin/black characters!!!!”

Sooooo sexualized! Oh, you didn’t mean JUST pokemon characters? Well this has no fucking reason to even be considered an argument when we’re talking strictly about pokemon, but ok. I’ll address it.

THE MALE AND FEMALE OCTOLINGS ARE DRESSED THE SAME! THE GIRL IS WEARING A SKIRT BECAUSE SHE’S FEMININE AND HER HEELS ARE VERY TALL!

ALSO DARK SKIN IS NOT THE ONLY CHOICE, YOU CAN CHANGE THE COLOR OF THE SKIN!!

You people are just choosing to be stupid.

That’s it! I’m going BONKERS! I can’t do this anymore, guys! STOP SAYING BLACK WOMEN NEED TO COVER UP! STOP SETTING A DOUBLE STANDARD FOR DARKSKIN WOMEN IN MEDIA! YOU DO NOT DO THIS FOR ANY OTHER RACE OR CHARACTER OTHER THAN NESSA AND YOU KNOW YOU DONT!

STOP BEING FAKE WOKE! YOU’RE NOT DOING ANY BLACK PERSON OR WOMAN A FAVOR FOR PRETENDING TO CARE ABOUT RACISM/SEXISM! IF ANYTHING, YOU ARE THE RACISTS! IT’S JUST SO FUNNY HOW NOW YOU DECIDE TO COME UP WITH FUN QUIRKY LITTLE REDESIGNS, WHERE THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR MISTY? WHERE WAS IT FOR JESSIE? I DON’T SEE A SINGLE REDESIGN FOR SHAUNA OR SHELLY OR EVEN ORAS SHELLY!

SHUT. UP. ABOUT. NESSA.

YOU DON’T CARE. YOU DO NOT CARE ABOUT NESSA OR BLACK WOMEN. YOU CARE ABOUT MAKING YOURSELF FEEL COMFORTABLE BECAUSE BLACK WOMEN WEARING SWIMSUITS TRIGGERS SOMETHING IN YOU TO GO HOG GODDAMN WILD AND SCRIBBLE ON A WETSUIT OR A ONCE PIECE.

YOU AIN’T SLICK. AND YOU AIN’T GETTING AWAY WITH THIS RACISM!

TAKE THIS L, IT’S ON ME.

[tunnaa-unnaa]

Pokemon Presents 26.2. thoughts

New Snap is looking great. Graphics, designs, gameplay, the new online sharing system... It’s all good, looking forward to the release!

Brilliant Diamond and Sparkling Pearl are exactly what I personally wanted. Out goes the SM/SwSh lanky trainers and poor route design and back into chibis and grid layout we go! YES! The remakes are developed by Ilca - the company behind pokemon home - instead of Gamefreak, which is also good news.

Some issues I have is that it seems to be 1:1 remake with simply updated graphics, instead of a generational upgrade like ORAS was. I doubt it will be compatible with SwSh or that it has any new areas. Updated pokedex, probably not. Expect a fancy emulator version of the originals, and if that’s what you prefer over SwSh type gameplay then you’re in for a treat.

Legends on the other hand.

Remember when the Sun&Moon pre-release footage had framerate issues? The game had those issues too. Remember how pre-release footage of the Wild Area looked like ass and also had framerate issues? Yeah, and then the game released with that exact same look.

Well here we are with Legends now, supposedly being The Big Announcement of the 25th anniversary event but looking like an asset flipped tech demo. Framerate takes a massive dip whenever anything happens on screen, graphics are unacceptably poor, LOD is nonexistent and as mentioned already, the player and pokemon assets are ripped straight from SwSh along with the game engine that was already in use in SM on the 3DS. And we’re supposed to take this as the next big game?

Maybe it’ll be good, who knows at this point. What I’m saying is simply that Legends was not ready for a presentation like this, and the issues I’m seeing have to do with the engine which means simply improving graphics will only make the game lag worse. They would need to start from ground up, but from experience we can say Gamefreak isn’t about to abandon their crappy core engine in order to improve the end product. Always biting more than they can chew.

[shellys-apprentice]

🔥

The chibi design for Sinnoh remakes is fine. They weren't going to give us fully 3d Sinnoh anyway, seeing as they didn’t do it with ORAS or Lets Go. (And I don't know that that's a bad thing on its own either. The maps weren't made for it, they'd be overhauling all of it if they wanted it to look good and at that point I'd rather just have a new region). I think chibis are a clever way to replace pixel sprites, and we're still getting full models in battles anyway.

Plus we're getting Legends

Gee Sinnoh how come Game Freak lets you have a prequel

[bronte-deserves-better]

Hi fuckers welcome to a really sad fic. I take no responsibility for what happens if you decide to read this, that's on you.

Title: and we fade in the dark

Wordcount: 2597

Summary: Bronte dies and everything is awful

Warnings: death, injury, graphic violence, blood, implied past suicidal thoughts.

Other Notes: Credit for the headcanons about how Oralie senses emotions goes to TheDarkChocolateLord on AO3. 

Also, some important and necessary context for this fic: Fintan and Bronte are siblings, they were adopted by two elves called Serenel and Ramil. 

A Keepsafe is a Councillor designated to protect their own safety no matter the cost so that there will always be at least one Councillor left alive to take charge in event of an emergency.

Also feat. nonbinary!Bronte

Actual fic under the cut

This was it, Oralie realized. This was the end. Whoever won the battle today would win the war- and it had to be them.

Grateful for her decision to wear more practical clothing today, she rushed through the flurry, hitting any black-cloaked figure that got in her way with her heels. Why oh why had she not taken Bronte up on their offer of proper weapons? Speaking of Bronte, where were they? Where were the rest of the Council? Over a few people’s heads, Oralie watched Clarette summon a few of her favored animal companions, reckoning the polygot would be fine on her own. Emery seemed to be doing okay as well, mostly because he and Darek had teamed up and were using telekinesis to their advantage, and Ramira was nowhere to be seen, as usual, so Oralie presumed she had fled. Ramira was by far more faithful to her job as a Keepsafe than the Darek.

Too occupied in thoughts of the others’ safety, Oralie barely noticed the blond elf in front of her until she had almost run into him.

“Why hello there, Oralie.”

That voice would haunt her dreams. “Fintan.”

“I see you and your lot aren’t doing so well.” He wore his trademark smirk, scanning the battlefield with that sharp gaze.

“I think we’re doing quite fine,” Oralie countered, knowing that to show weakness to Fintan meant death.

Fintan laughed, a snake of flame curling around his shoulders as he did so. “They all won’t be once you die.”

She stared at the fire, trying to keep her breathing level. “I’m by no means the most valuable member of the Council.”

“True, true, but you are the most loved.”

“I doubt that.”

Fintan took a step forward.

Oralie took a step backward.

And before either of them could make another move than that, Bronte was standing between them with a dagger leveled towards Fintan. “Get away from Oralie. Now.”

“What a way to talk to your brother.”

“Get. Away. From. Her.”

“Fine, fine.” Fintan rolled his eyes as he took a step back. “You’re such a protective asshole, you know.”

Bronte visibly flinched, but the dagger they had pointed at Fintan’s heart didn’t waver. “I protect the people I care about.”

It was Fintan’s turn to flinch. “Now that was just harsh.”

“Stop trying to kill my best friend and I won’t have to fight you.”

“No can do, I’m afraid. Leader of a rebel organization and all.”

“Then it comes down to us.”

Oralie could only watch helplessly as Bronte lunged forward, striking like a snake, only to be countered by a dagger of Fintan’s own. The fight ranged across the field, going right and left, back and forth, Bronte and Fintan trading blows as Oralie stood helplessly with high heels in hand, not daring to interfere in case she hit Bronte. Both of them hadn’t fought like this in years, she could tell, and they were as even a match as anything. What Bronte lacked by being slightly smaller, they made up for with precision, and what Fintan lacked in precision he made up for with strength. Watching them duel, Oralie realized that the fight should have been over a while ago. If either of the siblings dared use their ability, it would be easy enough to catch the other by surprise and incapacitate them. But both of them were holding back, only striking at each other with weapons. Determined to win- but unable to bring themselves to truly harm the other.

Thump, thump.

Oralie snapped out of her thoughts in time to see Gethen heading towards her, sword in hand, and thought quickly enough to dodge, leaping out of the way of his blow. He didn’t get her last time, he wasn’t going to get her this time either.

This time, Bronte was there, turning from their fight with Fintan to block another blow from Gethen. Their small dagger wasn’t a proper match for Gethen’s lumenite sword, but it was a blade and it did its job of blocking Gethen’s attack.

Oralie could feel determination radiating off Bronte, rough and strong like wood that hadn’t been sanded, watched Gethen’s smirk grow as Fintan’s eyes widened and his dagger, which would have been blocked by Bronte’s had they not turned, slashed across Bronte’s torso.

Oralie might have screamed. She couldn’t tell who was screaming, and for all she knew it could have been Fintan. His horror was strong enough to reach her, guilt prickling across her skin as Bronte collapsed.

“Bronte!” That was her voice this time, Oralie thought distantly, her scream ringing across the battlefield as she reached desperately for her best friend.

“Ora- Oralie.” They reached back, weakly, painfully.

Their dagger was laying on the ground next to her. Their blood was already coating her hands.

“Why?” Oralie pleaded. “Why would you di- get hurt for me?”

“Because I love you. Idiot.”

Oralie could feel Bronte’s pain surge through her, a phantom slash all the way down her chest as sticky sorrow poured across her hands, but their sentiment was genuine, the warmth of friendship radiating through. “I think- I think you’re the idiot.” She might have been crying, the sticky warmth of tears indistinguishable from the sticky warmth of love mingled with sadness. “You saved me, you saved the one who’s always been so weak.”

“Fucking nonsense. You’re- ah!” They gasped, and Oralie flinched as the pain doubled in intensity. “You’re stronger than anyone I know,” Bronte finished weakly. Their bangs fell across their face, strands of brown tinted red with blood as the rest fanned around their head like a halo but plainer.

“Bronte,” Fintan whispered from somewhere nearby.

Oralie would have killed him, if she could, but Bronte just stretched out a trembling hand. “Brother.”

“Bronte,” he repeated. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I didn��t mean to!”

Bronte’s emotions shifted, damp regret scratching against Oralie’s heart like wet wool. “I was the one who failed you from the start. I’m sorry.”

“Big brother,” Fintan whispered, and Oralie’s hands were sticky with his sorrow and Bronte’s blood.

“I forgive you. I forgive you.”

And Fintan was sobbing now, that she could be sure of, the enormity of his guilt crushing her and making it hard to breathe. Was she breathing? She couldn’t be sure.

“Oralie.” Buried under waves of pain, soft prickles of concern reached Oralie, and she drew a shuddering breath as Bronte tapped her hand lightly. “Oralie.”

“Y- yes?” Her voice failed her, wobbling under the weight of Fintan’s guilt that might have been her guilt that might have been Bronte’s worry.

“Don’t let go, okay? Don’t give up, just because- just. Just don’t give up. Please. You deserve to be happy and you will be.”

“It gets better someday,” Oralie whispered, remembering what she had told them so many times.

“It gets better. Someday. Promise?”

“Promise what?”

“Promise you won’t give up.”

Oralie took a shaky breath. “I promise.”

In some corner of her mind, she was vaguely aware of the fact that one of Clarette’s creatures had thrown Gethen away from the three of them, that a familiar grief- Emery’s- was prickling the back of her neck, but all she could see was Bronte’s chest rising and falling too quickly as their breathing grow shallower.

“Good. Tell Sophie I’m proud of her. Tell the rest of the Council that I cared about them- except. Except tell Alina to get fucked.” They pressed a leaping crystal into her hand weakly. “Tell. Serenel. Ramil. My parents. I loved them. And never- never forget that I love you. So much.”

“This isn’t goodbye. This isn’t!”

“It has to be.” Bronte smiled painfully. “I’m sorry.”

And suddenly Oralie was drowning in the absence of their emotions, all the sticky sorrow vanishing from her hands and leaving only blood. “Bronte. Bronte! Please, don’t go!” She knew it was futile already, knew there was only one thing the lack of emotions could mean, but she begged anyways, holding them close like she hadn’t been able to do for Kenric. Kenric. Words and oaths and memories spiraled through her mind, leaving one final grief, which she screamed to the world. “You promised me, Bronte! You promised! You said you’d never leave, not like- not like Kenric!”

I’m sorry. The memory of those words echoed through her mind, the pain behind them tearing through any remaining numbness. I’m sorry.

It took her a moment to realize that someone was saying them out loud too, a different voice and a different sorrow clinging to her heart. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Oralie.” Emery’s golden voice was rough, the sentiment in it more real than anything he had said as Spokesperson.

His sorrow drowned her as he pulled her into a gentle embrace, and Oralie let it. It was easy to let the pain of others wrap her up tightly just like their arms, far, far easier than facing the rage and grief and guilt pooling in her chest. For once, Oralie embraced the numbness.

--

There was blood on Emery’s shoulder.

That was the first thing she noticed when she could notice anything but grief. The bloody spot was small, but seeping outward slowly, and just as sticky as his pain. Focusing in on his emotions, Oralie narrowed down a phantom ache in her shoulder, right over where the blood on his was.

“Emery’s hurt.” Her voice didn’t sound like hers, rough and distant. “Left shoulder.”

“Shit, nice catch, Oralie!” That was Livvy’s voice, her usual cheer strained and cracking. “Handy uh, having an empath around, I guess.”

Oralie stared at golden embroidery of Emery’s tunic, watching it slowly become stained with blood. “Yeah.” She didn’t know when Livvy had gotten here, didn’t bother to wonder.

Livvy’s worry was prickly. “I’ll fix that up, if you don’t mind moving back, Councillor Oralie?”

“Okay.” Oralie stepped back and wondered how her voice could sound so dead while her chest was rising and falling still. She was vaguely aware that Livvy was fussing, vaguely aware that Emery was sighing, but it all seemed very far away even though they were right next to her.

The next thing she was aware of was someone putting their hand in hers softly, a pearl ring shimmering on the middle finger.

“I heard what happened,” Liora said quietly.

Oralie said nothing.

“I don’t know you well, and I didn’t know Bronte well. But I hope you know we’ll all stand by you.” Liora’s concern was less prickly than Bronte’s had been, more like flannel than felt, but just as real.

Oralie didn’t know what to do with the knowledge that Liora cared enough to worry about her, had no way of discerning even what she felt about it. “Thank you. They- Bronte- told me to tell you- you and the others, that is- that they cared. Even though it didn’t seem like it.”

“Even though it didn’t seem like it,” the other Councillor repeated softly. “Sounds like Bronte.”

“It does.” Oralie’s words felt fragile in her mouth.

Liora squeezed her hand. “Don’t hesitate to knock on my door if you need. I don’t talk to people much, but I do care.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

--

Oralie let the other Councillors shunt her around for the remainder of the day, let Emery take charge as always. Liora stuck by her most of the time, a quiet, stable presence that Oralie was grateful for, or would have been if she could feel anything but numb. Livvy tried futilely to cheer her up once or twice once the doctors had finished fixing everyone up, but it did no good. Oralie could barely process the jokes, let alone find them funny.

Finally, they were leaping home, but it seemed that Oralie’s trials weren’t over for the day. Waiting for them were the members of Team Valiant, worry apparent in their stances.

Sophie scanned the line of Councillors, not meeting Oralie’s eyes as usual. “Where’s Bronte?”

No one answered her.

Sophie’s gaze was as prickly as her fear when it landed on Oralie. “Where’s Bronte?”

Oralie couldn’t say it. Wouldn’t say it.

“Did they get held up? Did something happen? Are they hurt? Please, what happened?”

The anguish in Sophie’s voice broke Oralie’s heart, but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

Emery did so instead, steady voice tinged with sorrow. “Bronte was killed in the fight against the Neverseen.”

“They were defending me,” Oralie whispered. “It was my fault.”

“No!” Sophie’s emotions were too many textures at once, all tempered with sharp disbelief. “Bronte can’t just be dead! They were like, a million years old! That’s not fair!”

“Our world very rarely is,” Emery murmured.

“Well fuck that all!” Sophie burned with anger, voice sticky with sadness as she turned to Oralie. “And you just- and they were saving you?”

“There was nothing Oralie or anyone else could have done,” Emery put in quickly. “I don’t know the full details, but it was a dreadful fight.”

“I want to hear it from her.”

Oralie didn’t meet Sophie’s gaze.

“Councillor.”

The world was too bright, the green of the grass too vivid for such a sad day, Oralie noted distantly.

“Oralie,” Sophie snapped, and the genuine hatred behind it was almost enough to make Oralie crumble on its own. “What the fuck happened?”

“Don’t talk to your elders like that,” Emery scolded.

“I don’t care! Bronte is dead and Oralie won’t talk and- and maybe it should have been her!”

Oralie could feel the horror and regret the second Sophie’s words left her mouth, the uncomfortable dampness of those emotions brushing her skin in the silence those words left, but regret didn’t change what had been said. Or the fact that it should have been Oralie. “She’s right.”

“No!” That was Terik, from the other end of the line of Councillors. “No, Oralie, no. It shouldn’t have been any of us. Let alone you.”

“If it came down to Bronte or me, it always should have been me who died,” Oralie whispered. “They deserved better. They always did.”

“No,” Sophie said quietly. “No. I didn’t mean that, I’m sorry! I didn’t think- it wasn’t right! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Oralie.”

Her name sounded safe in her daughter’s mouth for the first time since Sophie had learned the truth.

Oralie drew a shuddering breath. “Bronte told me to tell you they were proud of you. Before they died. They wanted me to pass on the message.”

“They- they were?”

“They were. They were so proud.”

And Oralie was crying, and Sophie was crying, and even unflappable, unshakable Emery was crying a little bit because it didn’t matter who ‘should’ have died, Bronte was dead and it was left to the rest of them to pick up all the broken pieces and try to make them beautiful again.

“I’m sorry,” Sophie whispered into Oralie’s shoulder, sadness more sticky than her tears on the already-ruined gown. “I’m sorry.”

Emery offering “I’m sorry” as a condolence.

Bronte’s last words of “I’m sorry”.

Fintan desperately apologizing for hurting them, a pained “I’m sorry”.

“I’m sorry,” Oralie whispered back, feeling the weight of the others’ words behind her own. “For everything.”

“It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry- I’m sorry for what I said.”

“It’s okay. It’s okay.”

And they held each other and knelt on the too-green grass of Eternalia and cried until even Oralie had no more tears left. Only then did they get up, wipe their faces, and decide to go on, one way or another.

[len-scrive]

Gameplays completati - part 1 – Resident Evil(s)

Una serie di post per ricapitolare tutti i giochi completati.

O che sto completando. Sul mio canale Len Irusu

 A bunch of posts to recap all the gameplays I finished on my channel.

Or that I’m about to finish.

I play in English but I speak in Italian, so if you’re maybe studying Italian and you want to learn some interesting words…  XD

 RESIDENT EVIL 0

Let's Play sofferto in cui non solo devo abituarmi a comandi infami, ma anche a personaggi che non fanno nulla di ciò che chiedo loro. E sì è colpa loro, non mia.

Painful Let’s Play in which not only I have to get used to the awful controls, but also to characters who don’t do anything I tell them. Yes, it’s their fault, not mine…

RESIDENT EVIL

Andiamo a ritroso. Ora tocca al primo capitolo del gioco, così finalmente conosciamo le origini della grande amicizia tra Chris e Wesker. E rivediamo Rebecca... E Chris con quel design è una chicca. XD

Let’s go backwards. Now it’s the first chapter’s turn, so finally we know the origins of Chris and Wesker’s solid friendship. And we see Rebecca again. That Chris’ design is gold.

RESIDENT EVIL 2 REMAKE LEON PRIMA RUN

Dove me la prendo con Leon perché non mira, perché non corre e perché dice stupidaggini. La mia saga preferita e di certo uno dei giochi più belli del 2019. In easy mode perché Gertrude mi fa paura.

Where I take it out on Leon because he doesn’t aim well, he doesn’t run and he talks rubbish. This is my favourite saga and one of the best games of 2019. In easy mode because I’m scared of Gertrude.

RESIDENT EVIL 2 REMAKE CLAIRE PRIMA RUN

Dovevo a questo gioco tutte le run possibili e così completiamo sia Claire che Leon B. Una serie di piani tutti non riusciti, ma alla fine ce la facciamo.

I owe this game every possible run, so we’re going to complete Claire and Leon B. A series of plans all of them absolutely not coming together, but in the end we succeed.

RESIDENT EVIL 2 REMAKE LEON SECONDA RUN

[skyzeeee]

Pspsps Who are the other DS androids?

Assuming you're referring to my last post, from left to right, That's Sam! He's a Black DSi. He's more of a nice character, but he doesn't have much development since I know the least about him. He mainly plays Pokemon Black 2, and the main inspirations behind his design are Piplup and Oshawott :sunglasses: The next one is Min. He's a Retro NES Style 3DS XL, [yes I'm going to be extra and list the exact type] and he's very stoic? On the surface, at least. Generally, he's very chill and fun to be around, and he's kind of like Vasky's adopted brother and vice versa. He was very supportive of her, and was basically her go-to person to talk to about anything. His main inspirations behind his design were just the look of the DS itself, since the main game we played was Tomodachi Life and I have no idea how to incorporate that into a design 🤷‍♂️ He also has a lot of parallels to Vasky as a nod to them being basically siblings. There she is! The queen! Hello Vasky! We're not really here to talk about her but...she's my favorite I love her... peak comfort character yk...I want to squish her hair And finally, there's Shinobu. She's a Black + Blue 2DS, and she's kinda like Vasky's (and Skitty but this ain't about her) cousin! She's quite outgoing, and mainly plays Pokemon and Zelda. She used to be really close with Vasky and Skitty, but it's been awhile since I've seen her. She's nice, but she lacks control of her volume and things she says sometimes. Her inspirations are Wartortle, OOT/MM Link(s boots), May (ORAS), Pokemon X, and Pokemon Contest Spectaculars.

[hawksmagnolia]

Paint Splatter

Flex your muscles challenge 

Author: Allie @hawksmagnolia

Summary: An attempt to teach Bucky how to play Clue ends in very colorful Avengers (and a Darcy).

Prompt used: June 8/Cool/Being painted wasn’t what she expected/A bloody knife

Characters: Bucky Barnes/Darcy Lewis/Clint Barton/Natasha Romanoff

Fandom: MCU

Words: 660

Warnings: None. Unless you hate fun.

Author’s Notes: Hope y’all enjoy! xoxo

“This is complete bullshit.” Clint muttered, his hands flying as he signed. His latest Stark designed hearing aids really helped his hearing, especially if he could see their lips, but he still signed to help Darcy learn.

“Paint it up, Clint.” Darcy signed slowly and handed him a paintbrush and a small bottle of purple paint.

Scowling, he took them and drew another stripe on his arm, matching the previous four. Darcy had 3 green ones while Bucky was sported a single blue stripe.

Natasha’s arms were perfectly clean. And her face was perfectly smug.

“Why are we playing this again?” Darcy eyed the multitude of colorful stripes on her and Clint. This is not what she expecting when she thought about being painted. She always figured it would be all elegant with her draped in silk, like those women in Renaissance paintings. Instead, she smelled like an elementary school classroom and had a steak of purple paint in her hair when she had beat him.

“How come you two are so damn good at this?” Clint sulked as he drained his beer. “Stupid bloody knife. I could have sworn it was the noose.”

“Probably because you are half drunk and because you always pick the noose.” Nat eyed him as she shuffled cards to reset the board. “And we’re playing because you and Barnes need a break from Mario Kart after you broke the coffee table last time.”

“Also because we are trying to fight the former Russian spies at a mystery game.” Darcy paused. “Did I sign ‘Russian’ right?”

Clint nodded and then stopped. “Wait a damn minute - I’m a spy too!” 

Bucky was studying the ceiling and attempting to hide a smile.

“We could always play poker.” Clint offered as he popped the cap off another beer with Bucky’s lighter.

“You cheat! Every single time!” Darcy threw the little metal pipe at his head where it bounced off his forehead. “Last time you conned me into playing poker I lost all my blue M&Ms and my green apple Jolly Ranchers.” She finished signing the sentence by flipping him off.

Clint crossed his arms over his chest. “Not my fault, you shouldn’t have bluffed on a lousy Ace high.”

Darcy signed something very rude at Clint who laughed. “You just told me to go walk a couch. You need to do this.” His big hands guided hers into the correct formations.

Bucky looked at Natasha questioningly. “Candy?”

“Have you met them? Do you really think we’d let them use money? We switched them to candy after they used a box Sam’s Lucky Charms and ate all the marshmallows.”

Darcy let out a yelp as Clint swatted at her with his paintbrush. She scrambled up into Bucky’s lap in an attempt to escape. Bucky grabbed his blue one and painted a stripe down the side of her face.

“Hey! Not cool Bucky! You’re supposed to be on my side!”

“All’s fair in love and war doll.”

She responded by smacking a kiss on his mouth and while he was distracted she dumped green paint on his head.

When the call out sounded, Steve went to go look for his teammates as Clint and Bucky both had a habit of being late.

What he found was three very paint-covered Avengers and Darcy who was hiding from Bucky behind Natasha while he yelled about how he didn’t need green highlights for a damned mission.

He slowly backed out of the room and called the mission dispatch as he headed down the hall.

“We’re going to need a few extra minutes for Agents Barnes, Barton and Romanoff to decon. Don’t ask. Thanks.”

@captain-rogers-beard​

@nano--raptor @cchellacat @eurynome827 @jobean12-blog @book-dragon-13 @aesthetical-bucky @marvelgirl7 @sallycanwait68 @buckys-broody-muffin @softpeachbarnes @godofplumsandthunder @azurika-writes @ikaris-whore @this-kitten-is-smitten @randomfandompenguin​ @littleredstarfish​ @bugsbucky​ @auro-ora​ @imgaril-lindru​